CASTLE ZAGYG: THE WORKHOUSE of Yggsburgh Town by Jeffrey P. Talanian
GUARDS X8 (They are 2nd level, lawful neutral, human fighters, HP 10,
 When life is fraught by debt or indigence, the most impoverished citizens of
AC 13. Their primary attributes are physical. They carry studded leather,
Yggsburgh are sentenced to serve at The Workhouse . . .
club, and dagger.)
The Workhouse of Yggsburgh is a large, walled in, cruciform-shaped complex
Priest. There is one cleric serving the Workhouse. He is in charge of examining
where debtors, orphans, paupers, the elderly and infirm are placed for relief
admitted inmates (casting cure disease as necessary), holding chapel services, and
of want. Treated briefly in Castle Zagyg Vol. I, Yggsburgh by Gary Gygax, this
instructing youths. Pious White is a rotund man, tonsured, with heavy jowls, ruddy
comprehensive version of the encounter area is drawn directly from the
cheeks, pointy nose, and close-set eyes. He is a priest of Berchta, the major goddess
forthcoming module, Yggsburgh Town: Town Halls District from Troll Lord Games.
of cleanliness and industry. He wears a black cassock (long, close-fitting garment),
Within this encounter you will find such notable non-player characters as the
sandals, leather phylactery, and a helmet-shaped cloth hat colored magenta. Pious
Warden of Debtors, Brandon Beasley; the corrupt Captain of the Guard, Basil
White is entrusted with the religious education of boys and girls, three hours per
Holdar; and the rotund cleric of Berchta, Pious White. Workhouse security
day, six days per week. He is unsparing of the rod with naughty boys.
and staff are also detailed, as well as officer and inmate uniforms, workhouse life
PIOUS WHITE (He is a 7th level, lawful neutral, human cleric of Berchta
(admission, inmate classification, rules & regulations, daily routine), and detailed
whose vital stats are HP 27, AC 10. His primary attributes are intelligence,
descriptions of the entire complex. This excerpt also includes an adventure hook,
wisdom, charisma. He carries a staff and 4 potions of cure disease. Clerical
detailed maps, and a malign fey-creature drawn from folklore, the spriggan.
spells: 0-5, 1st-4, 2nd-3, 3rd-2, 4th-1.) He is not given to combat save in
THE WORKHOUSE
direst of circumstances.
Reason: Should the characters suffer indigence or are otherwise
Staff. The serving staff of sixteen attends to the aged, infirm, and youngsters
sentenced to serve for debts accrued, this is the place they will be sent.
under seven years of age. They tend to the stable and see to the conveyance
of materials trucked in and out of this location. They also oversee the kitchen,
Sign: Under the Yggsburgh coat of arms, an inscription reads,  For the
larders, and bakehouse, among other duties. Some of the staff reside in loft
Instruction of Youth, The Encouragement of Industry, The Relief of Want, The
apartments above the stable house just outside the workhouse proper. The
Support of Old Age, and The Comfort of Infirmity and Pain.
serving staff are paid though must pay for their own food and accommodation
ENCOUNTER: Released from the Workhouse.
space, so they net about a copper a day.
The Workhouse is a large building complex of 120-foot frontage, with basement
SERVING STAFF X16 (These are simple commoners.)
and four floors above it. It has a staff of 14 guards and 16 servants. The average
Law Officer Uniforms. The uniforms of the Law Officers working here are
inmate population is around 170 persons, though up to 250 inmates can be
indigo (navy blue), yellow-striped surcoats and stockings, like cloaks in colder
accommodated. The Office of the Warden of Debtors is located here. He is in
weather. All surcoats and cloaks have a red badge on them. The Warden has
charge of the Work House and income paid down on the debt by inmates.
one with a gold mace, his Captain a silver one. Serjeants have three silver
This structure is built of rough-hewn, ashlar stonework, a walled in cruciform
staves in upright position, the guards have a pair of them.
design with supervisory octagonal hub. The square-walled perimeter is a
Inmates Uniforms:
12-foot single-story structure containing workshops and utility blocks that
enclose the inmates exercise yards.
Men. Men are provided shirts of a pattern of broad, vertical stripes of
washed out blue on an off-white background, with ill-fitting trousers tied
Guards. There are 14 guards serving here. In charge is the Warden of
with cord below the knee. In cold weather, they may be afforded a coarse
Debtors, Master Brandon Beasley, a square-jawed man with beady eyes and
jacket while working in the yard.
broad shoulders. He is assisted by Captain of Guards, Basil Holdar, a tall man
of grizzled countenance and gray-streaked hair. Neither involve themselves in
Women. The women wear a shapeless, ankle length dress of similar pattern.
combat save in the direst of circumstances, such as if the town is at war. They
Beneath these exterior garments underdrawers are worn, a shift and long
supervise four Serjeants of the Guard and eight guards, together maintaining
stockings, with a poke bonnet on their heads.
order in the Workhouse.
Boys. Boys are provided a uniform like that of men, though these
WARDEN OF DEBTORS, MASTER BRANDON BEASLEY (He is a 5th level, lawful
are often improperly sewn and too long, so as to provide for growth but
neutral, human fighter whose vital stats are HP 25, AC 12/18. His primary
impeding movement nonetheless.
attributes are strength, constitution, and dexterity. His significant attributes are
Girls. Girls are provided a dress of stout woolen material, good for
strength 13, dexterity 16. He carries a longsword, club, and dagger. When arrayed
winter, but generally worn all the year round.
for battle he wears chainmail hauberk and also carries a medium shield)
WORKHOUSE LIFE
CAPTAIN OF GUARDS, BASIL HOLDAR (He is a 6th level, lawful neutral,
human fighter whose vital stats are HP 30, AC 12/17. His primary attributes
The Workhouse employs paupers and the indigent at profitable work,
are strength, constitution, dexterity. His significant attributes are strength 16,
whether they be needy or criminal, young or old, infirm, healthy, or insane.
dexterity 16. He carries a bastard sword, club, and dagger. When arrayed for
It is difficult to distinguish this place from a house of correction, and this
battle he wears a chain hauberk.)
is the intent. Conditions are deliberately harsh and degrading in order to
discourage the poor from relying on relief.
SERJEANTS OF THE GUARD X4 (They are 3rd level, lawful neutral, human
fighters, HP 15, AC 14. Their primary attributes are physical. They carry
scale mail, shortsword, and club.)
Admission. A pauper requesting relief or a debtor so sentenced to serve must sit in
" shoveling coal, carting coal
the waiting room prior to being interviewed. They are searched, then conveyed
" Inmates can also be hired out as cheap labor to other locations
to the appropriate receiving ward -- men, women, boys, and girls; families are
as dictated by the Warden per need of the town, such as the
thus split up at this point. At the receiving ward the inmate is stripped (former
Municipal Plumbing Supply (Town Halls District #1) or Town
clothes being cleaned and stored), washed, and issued a uniform. Here they
Lumberyard (Town Halls District #4).
remain until examined by the attending cleric (Pious White), who will treat
them (if necessary) and determine to which classification (see below) they Discipline. Discipline is strict, and unruly inmates are dealt with harshly. Refusal
belong. The inmate is then conveyed to the appropriate ward. to work or attend a chapel service can result in a bread and water diet and/or
confinement, as will impertinent language used against a guard. Indecent
Inmate Classification.
language or profanity can result in hard labor for three weeks. Fleeing the
" Children (boys and girls) under 7 years of age.
workhouse with an inmate uniform will result in a flogging at the whipping post;
fleeing debtors sentenced here may be branded and sent to the gaol. Naughty
" Boys ages 7 to 12.
boys will be flogged at the whipping post, and this happens nearly every day, as all
" Able-bodied men, and young men of age 13+.
boys are naughty -- it s axiomatic!
" Aged and/or infirm men
GROUND FLOOR
" Girls ages 7 to 14.
Waiting Hall. Where inmates wait to be processed.
Searching Room. Where inmates are stripped, searched, and cleaned before
" Able-bodied women, and young women of age 15+.
being sent to a receiving room.
" Aged and/or infirm women.
Porter s Room. Where staff will store inmates clothes and possessions; where
inmates uniforms are stored.
Rules and Regulations.
Boys and Girls School. Where boys (up to age 12) and girls (up to age 14) are
1. All inmates (except the sick, aged and infirm, and young children) shall
instructed in virtues of the Tenoric Faith by Pious White, including lectures
rise, be set to work, leave off work, and go to bed as dictated. They shall be
on being industrious and responsible citizens.
allowed intervals for their meals as notified by the ringing of a bell. During
Bread Room. Where bread from the Bakehouse is crated and stored.
such times of meals, silence, order and decorum shall be maintained.
Bakehouse. Where dough is rolled on a large table and bread is baked in a
large brick oven.
2. Boys and girls shall for at least three of the working hours every day be
Flour and Mill room. Where four is ground and stored in cloth sacks.
instructed in the principles of the Tenoric Faith, and other such instruction so
Coals. Where coal (brought up from the basement) is stored for the central
calculated to train young people habits of usefulness, industry, and virtue.
hub furnaces, kitchen, and bakehouse.
3. Diet of the inmates shall be so regulated as in no case to exceed in quantity
Work Rooms. There are five work rooms. One for women, girls, and boys,
and quality of food so prescribed, with the ordinary diet of the able-bodied
respectively, and two for men. (Refer to  The Daily Routine above.)
laborers be greater than that of the aged and infirm.
Receiving Rooms. There are four such wards where admitted inmates spend two
4. Any inmate residing in the workhouse of his or her own free will (and days being treated and interviewed. Washing rooms are adjacent to these.
not sentenced to serve by judge or law enforcer) may quit the workhouse Laundry. Where female inmates launder.
at any time. The Warden must be provided three hours previous notice; Refractory Ward. Where rule-breakers can be confined.
however, no able-bodied inmate having a family may so quit without Dead House. Where the dead are place until cremation at a local temple.
taking the whole of such family with him or her, unless the Warden Piggery and Slaughterhouse. Where pigs are raised and butchered.
otherwise directs. Nor shall any inmate, after so quitting the house, be Kitchen, Larder, Scullery. Where inmate nourishment is produced.
again received into the house without a court order. Day Rooms. Of variable use. Where the old and inform sit during the day, and
also children under 7. When inmate population is high, these rooms can
5. Any inmate who neglects to observe the rules as are applicable to him or her;
be converted to bedrooms.
who shall make any noise when silence is ordered; use obscene or profane
Yards. The yards are used for both work and after lunch break time/exercise.
language; by word or deed insult or revile any other inmate in the workhouse;
The men s yard has a well.
who shall not duly cleanse his or her person; neglect or refuse to work; or
Serjeants Station. Where the four Serjeants of the Guard keep office and
pretend sickness; and/or disobey any of the legal orders of the Warden or other
station, with water closet within.
superintendent, will be deemed disorderly and shall be placed in apartments
provided for such offenders or shall otherwise be distinguished in dress and FIRST FLOOR
placed upon such diet as the Warden shall prescribe.
Guard Station. Where the entire guard staff of 14 meet to break shifts, discuss
The Daily Routine. The workhouse day begins when the rising bell rings out at duties and issues, etc. Adjoining here are a Captain s office, strong room
dawn. After prayers, breakfast follows. Inmates then work (see below) from 7: (with 500-1,500 gold in mixed coin), and closet.
00am until noon. After an hour for lunch, work resumes until supper from 6
GIRLS BEDROOM. Eight double beds here in which up to 25 girls (ages 7-
to 7pm. This is followed by evening prayers, then bed by 8pm at the latest:
14) can sleep.
" breaking stones to be sold for road making (this done in the
MEN S BEDROOMS. Two rooms, each with 10 single beds. These two
exercise yard)
bedroom usually reserved for the aged and infirm, as less stairs are involved.
" oakum picking  teasing out the fibers from old hemp ropes to be
WOMEN S BEDROOMS. Two rooms, each with 10 single beds. These two
sold to the shipwrights.
bedroom usually reserved for the aged and infirm, as less stairs are involved.
" corn grinding using mill stones to make flour
DINING HALL. Where meals are served in shifts to men, women, and children.
" crushing gypsum (used in plaster manufacture)
CAPTAIN S QUARTERS. These are the private quarters of Captain Basil
" chopping wood (this done in the exercise yard) Holdar who resides here alone, with no external family to speak of. He is
provided a water closet and storage closet. Holdar has a good eye for talent.
" laundry cleaning uniforms.
He will summon select inmates whom he believes can be of other use -- the
" sack making (cloth and burlap)
young and clever orphan with a knack for thespianism, for example. Such
persons are conveyed to the Beggarmaster,  Alf Drumly (CZY encounter #51)
" kitchen duty  cooking or serving food to other inmates, stocking
for training. A young man or woman who declines the  offer is threatened
the stores and larder.
with pillory time at the gaol. A secret tunnel is located in the coal storage
" piggery duty  cleaning the piggery, feeding the pigs, slaughtering
wing of the basement, and this is where the conveyance takes place. The
the pigs.
Warden is unaware of this operation. (See basement for more.)
SECOND FLOOR quite unaware of his main man s duplicity, this potentially resulting in conflict
between the two should the Castle Keeper wish to further develop this hook.
BOARD ROOM. Where the staff is assembled by the Warden of Debtors to
discuss issues and policies. Clerk s office is used by staff who scribe paperwork, with SPRIGGANS X2 (These chaotic evil creatures are HD 1d8, HP 7, AC 17.
adjacent records storage and supply closet. Their primary attributes are physical. They carry a dagger and two darts.
Special: invisibility, confusion.)
BOYS BEDROOM. Eight double beds here in which up to 25 boys (ages 7-
12) can sleep. The spriggans will always arrive invisible before the scheduled meeting time so
as to assess the situation. If they feel the situation is dangerous or otherwise
MEN S BEDROOMS. Two rooms, each with 10 single beds.
threatens the secrecy of the Underground, they will hide and then flee to inform
WOMEN S BEDROOMS. Two rooms, each with 10 single beds.
their leader. When attacking they will do so while invisible, one attempting a
touch attack to confuse the opponent while the other attacks with a weapon.
CHAPEL. Devoted to Berchta, the major goddess of cleanliness and industry.
In the northwest and southwest corners are holy water basins. Oak pews line
ADVENTURE HOOK: Released from the Workhouse.
the center of the nave, with side aisles for standing. In fresco running between
What follows is a hook that  brings the party together at the first level when running
the windows north and south walls is a pastoral scene of laborers threshing a
an Yggsburgh campaign -- the way the characters come to know one another, as it
field of corn. They are all handsome, smiling people, seemingly joyful to be
were, at The Workhouse. The characters are of lowly beginning, having fallen on
at work. The pulpit has a beechwood altar, and behind the altar are stained
hard times and consequently convicted of indigence, either for debts accrued, or
glass windows. Two staff members assist Pious White in services; he also has
possibly having checked themselves in for lack of any other alternative. Having
choir boys sing at the dawn service. When holding a service or ceremony, the
been stripped of their clothes and washed, issued uniforms and set to work, they
priest will don a surplice (white gown with wide sleeves) over his cassock and
are of the more capable sort as compared to the very young or the old and infirm.
a fiddleback chasuble (sleeveless, hooded vest) over all. The vest is magenta,
They ve been shoveling coal, breaking stone, chopping wood, crushing gypsum,
embroidered with runes of the Tenoric faith and a depiction of Berchta -- an
etc.; they attend services at the Chapel, and they sleep in rooms as appropriate to
old woman with beady eyes and a long nose.
gender. Perhaps a few of the characters have gotten to know one another.
PRIEST S QUARTERS. This is where Pious White resides alone. He has a
One morning, the Warden of Debtors summons them to his office. By guard
vestry closet (also with propitiate materials) and a water closet.
the characters are conveyed to his third floor office where they are served
THIRD FLOOR
brandy, wine, salted fatback, and cheese -- the finest grub they ve eaten in
weeks! The Warden informs them that he s had his eye on them each and all,
Children s Bedroom. One large bedroom with 15 double beds in which up to 50
having been apprised of their capabilities by Pious White. He knows that they
children (boys and girls under 7 years of age) are placed.
are each capable of much more than the Workhouse. He has an offer . . .
Women s Bedroom. One large bedroom with 23 single beds.
Men s Bedroom. One large bedroom with 23 single beds.
The offer is the purview of the Castle Keeper, who can use this hook as a segue
Warden of Debtors Office. Where the Warden of the Workhouse will hold
to other adventures in this series. Perhaps the Warden offers them preset
private meetings with select individuals, such as politicians, judicial
equipment, armor, weapons, and transportation; alternatively, he may offer
officials, and noblemen.
them a sum of gold to be split and so used to purchase equipment. Either way,
Warden s Lounge/Dining Hall. Where the Warden s family gather. Master
the Warden should have a reason for this sponsorship: an item he desires,
Beasley has a wife, Mistress Constance, and two young children. Dining
a percent of the future coinage won, or perhaps political recognition by his
table, bronze wall sconces, brass chandelier, imported rug from the Far East
peers should the characters perform some good deed in his name.
(worth 500 gp), ivory chess set (worth 250 gp), cushioned chaise lounge,
NEW MONSTER:
and family portraits.
Warden s Master Bedroom. Where the Warden and his wife rest; four-poster,
SPRIGGAN
oak armoire, oak bureau, and bookshelves. One drawer in the bureau has a
NO. ENCOUNTERED: 2-5
false bottom under which 750 gp worth in assorted gems are stashed.
SIZE: small (or large)
Guest Bedrooms. One for the children, the other kept vacant for guests. Each
HD: 1(d8) +3 (or 4d8+5)
with two beds, bureau, and armoire.
MOVE: 40-ft
BASEMENT
AC: 17 (15)
The basement of the Workhouse is a low-ceiling (5-foot) flagstone slab floor
ATTACK: by weapon type (dagger, darts)
with surrounding foundation of stone block and mortar. It is of cruciform
SPECIAL: Spells and Thief Skills
shape, like the building above, the central hub being noted for its large
SAVES: Physical
furnace where inmates will shovel coal.
INT: Average
ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Evil
Hub. The furnace pipes heat to the entire central hub, lead flues running in
TYPE: Fey
the walls.
TREASURE: 1
North Wing. Emergency Ward. Kept with several pallets and straw mattresses
XP VALUE: 60+3
in the instance that the Workhouse becomes overpopulated. Up to 50
additional inmates can be placed here in dire circumstances.
Spiggans are ugly, malign little (2-foot tall) people with furry skin, long
South Wing. Storage area for surplus tools (many in need of repair) and
tails, and luminous eyes. They are found on the fringes of society -- sewers,
materials used in the work rooms.
abandoned buildings, vacant areas, etc. In their natural state they are
East Wing. Where food stores are kept, such as kegs of beer, barreled wheels
sometimes mistaken for cats. They revel in causing mischief of the most
of cheese, and sacks of lentils and grain.
sadistic species, and are noted for being proficient thieves.
West Wing. Where coal and chopped wood is stored for the furnace. Coal is
Combat: Spriggans often work in tandem, using their confusion and invisibility
trucked to the ground floor coals room, then conveyed to this location, for
powers to rob their victims and escape before violence. Rare spriggans may
lack of a basement service entrance.
also use a special form of alter size in which they transform to 10-foot height.
There is a secret door here that leads to the Thieves Guild Underground
In giant form, they become 4d8 (+5) HD creatures, AC 15.
(CZY encounter #52). When the Captain of the Guards Basil Holdar so
Spell-like abilities: confusion, invisibility (1/day), as if by a 5th level caster. 1 per 10
arranges, young inmates of potential are sent here to shovel coal. From
spriggans can use a variant of alter size (giant) at will.
here they are conveyed to the Beggars Brotherhood (CZY encounter #51)
via secret passage by a pair of spriggans -- malign little people with furry
Thief abilities: Spriggans have all the abilities of a 5th level thief with 19
bodies, large luminous eyes, and long tails. The potential  beggars are
dexterity.
brought directly to the Beggarmaster by recommendation of the Captain, who
receives supplemental income from this endeavor. The Warden of Debtors is